Tugan LJW7 Gannet | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The twin engine airplane departed Exmouth Airport in the early morning on an urgent medevac flight to Argyle Downs, in the northeast of Western Australia. On board were two crew members and one doctor. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing at night and in heavy mist, the pilot lost his orientation and the airplane crashed into the sea. The wreckage was found one mile from the airfield and about 50 yards out to sea. All three occupants were killed.
Crew:
F/O Gordon Edward Dix, pilot,
Sgt Norman Catton, mechanic.
Passenger:
S/Ldr John Clive Sangster, doctor.

Probable cause:

Loss of control during initial climb after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation.

Crash of a Tugan LJW7 Gannet in Canberra

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1942 at 1325 LT

Type of aircraft:

Tugan LJW7 Gannet

Operator:

Registration:

A14-5

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

TA-59

YOM:

1937

Location:

Canberra

Australian Capital Territory

Country:

Australia

Region:

Oceania

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Canberra Airport, the port engine failed. The aircraft lost height, impacted trees and crashed 3 km from the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were injured.
Crew:
F/Lt B. W. Graham,
Sgt R. C. Kupsch,
Sgt J. P. Craig,
Sgt G. G. Smith.

Probable cause:

Failure of the left engine after takeoff.

Crash of a Tugan LJW7 Gannet in the Arnhem Land

Date & Time: May 19, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Tugan LJW7 Gannet

Operator:

Registration:

A14-6

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Batchelor – Groote Eylandt

MSN:

TA-55

YOM:

1936

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane departed Batchelor on an ambulance flight to Groote Eylandt, carrying one nurse and two crew members. While cruising over Arnhem Land, the crew became lost. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when it crashed in a swampy area and came to rest upside down. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. After 10 days in an hostile environment, the three survivors built make-shift raft from aircraft parts and set off drifting down the Cato River. After several days they were located by Aborigines who took them to Elcho Island Mission then on to the RAAF Station on Millingimbi Island, where they arrived 33 days after the crash.
Crew:
F/Sgt Francis Smallhorn, pilot,
AC1 George Booth, radio operator.
Passenger:
Cpl Phillip Bronk, nurse.

Crash of a Tugan LJW7 Gannet in Cordeaux Dam: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1936 at 1945 LT

Type of aircraft:

Tugan LJW7 Gannet

Operator:

Registration:

VH-UUZ

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Young - Sydney

MSN:

TA-52

YOM:

1935

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane was flown to Young to pick up four passengers after the Codock airplane that were supposed to fly them from Leeton to Sydney was grounded at Young Airport due to technical problems. En route to Sydney, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds. While flying low in limited visibility, the airplane impacted trees and crashed in a wooded area located near Cordeaux Dam, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Crew:
y Edwin Jack Small.
Passengers:
A. V. Sinfield,
C. H. Turner,
F. J. Eagle,
Oliver King.

Probable cause:

The Air Accidents Investigation Committee released their findings in early March, and they determined that it was an error of judgement of the pilot in trying to traverse hilly country in low cloud and at night. The reports of engine problems seem to have been discounted.